NT is actually a pretty good architecture as far as OS design goes, but it's true that backwards compatability is causing some problems. My solution would be somewhat akin to what Apple did during the Mac OS 9-OS X transition (and what you are suggesting)...e.g. when a legacy windows 3.1 app is launched, a copy of Windows 3.1 is loaded up to execute it.
The WoW layer does this. When I launch LViewPro v1B (that I prefer to the current version because it is not shareware crippled), wow is loaded and stays loaded til you reboot.
As to why MS doesn't create a whole new OS (even though it did with NT), I think the answer is that the customer doesn't want this. Look at Itanium...saying it hasn't caught on is almost a spit-take understatement. Seamless (or mostly seamless) upgrading of old OSes is what people & corporate types want because it makes the decision a no-brainer and allows old and new machines to get along.
Re:how many billion dollar deployments...
on
Why Windows is Slow
·
· Score: 1
My preferred text editor is 17 years old and runs in DOS. This one application determines my platform, and that of a writer friend of mine. I set him up with it on an 8088, then a 80486 luggable. Other than running a batch file that zips up his documents then places them on a floppy that he sends to his publisher, he is running a single executable. He doesn't need or want email. When they bought a new printer the dealer put in Windows for the printer drivers but it messed up his program so he asked me to Windows out (the DOS ap. supports, among others, postscript & HP printers so there was no need for Windows drivers). We are all so bleeding edge we have lost our perspective -- a computer is only useful if it cranks out the work you need cranked out, and if it does leave the bleeping thing alone.
so... no takers on my challenge?... i.e. What can Windows do better than OS X (from the users perspective)?
I'll bite...
(1) provide more cpu cycles per dollar spent translating to cheaper hardware costs or more powerful workstations for the same cost
(2) better capitalize on user familiarity/experience, translating into training money saved or higher productivity per employee. I for one would give away or sell an Apple computer if it was given to me.
(3) as the default it is generally cheaper to stay with something, anything, than to switch. For example, as component X fails (e.g. keyboard, monitor), one can swap in a component from a retired machine. Thus, for most people staying with Windows/XP is cheaper than switching to anything, but especially to new hardware. XP doesn't sell much at retail, but it doesn't have to. Once it is OEM'd on 300M machines, on the other hand, it tends to stay there.
XP paging does suck, badly. I get systems with 1+GB of RAM and then turn off paging.
The only thing worse than XP paging is XP paging on a system with a failing hard drive (my Dell) -- I have had to even moved temp file and IECache locations to anothe drive.
Like they did with VCRs. Unbeknownst to anyone, they got all the VHS manufacturers to put in copy destruction (forget downsampling) -- wiping away the reason for me to keep my 500 VHS tapes.
I also think they deliberately introduced two formats so that we would be watching the wrong hand of the magician -- it ain't the format silly, its the dirty work that goes with it.
It could be argued that DRM busters are some of the most patriotic/humanitarian people on the planet.
Isn't the logical extension of this that all ISPs pool their DNS stuff?
i.e. ISPs A, B, C...N all host N DNS services -- one for themselves, one each for the other N ISPs. Ok, maybe not N but say 5 ISP groupings.
This was done with the electric power system some time back where they put ground rods all over the place providing ubiquitous grounding to make the power system more uniform.
I don't know where you're getting your Dell experience form, but they've been well worth the premium some folks pay for them in a production environment.
From repeat calls to Dell support. A totally wasted effort on my part I might add. They have their routine way to pretend to test/troubleshoot things that _just_happens_ to benefit Dell -- wow, what are the odds of that?!
Many others before you have "had good service" for their business PCs. And just as many have admitted that Dell's home PC support sucks.
One person privately emailed me to say he routinely has to damage Dell PCs in order to get Dell to fix them.
Buyer beware!
Wow, how insightful. Most of your "points" on why your Dell sucks are the result of a user who doesn't seem to really know computing.
Heh, AC, your jealousy is showing.
Your first point seems to indicate that you're using the OEM software load. Wow, sure sounds like you've been "computing" for 22 years.
Why on earth would OEM vs OTS software matter? More importantly, why would this indicate anything about anyone's experience. My Dell issue can be summed up in two words: hardware problem.
Your second point.. Jesus, chill with the fucking USB devices. You only have so much power for the bus. Get a nice powered USB hub and stop bitching.
Since my HP laptop ran with a similar number of devices there is nothing to say I am doing anything wrong here. But I appreciate your wisdom-at-a-distance.
Also, if it can't handle this many devices, why have this many (7) USB ports?
Your third point, I will say, is a legitimate complaint. You should learn how to deal with techs, though. These are all common problems with computers. Someone who claims to have been in the game as long as you should know how to handle them.
The so-called techs are impossible to deal with -- total denial city. How does one deal with someone who totally denies that there is a hardware problem? Wait, that would be you too.
Dell is on a "high end look" kick right now and by buying Alienware they can shut down a competitor and gain another look. It won't change the fact that I'll never buy or recommend a Dell because my Dell sucks http://www.just-think-it.com/mydell.htm
Ahem. All good bands (i.e. Green Day and, uh...uh...uh) ARE taking a year off. There are almost no good bands. There _are_ some wealthy bands with geriatic performers, yes, but music has become like Disney movies -- locked in "vaults" and copyrighted for the next 5,000 years.
First thing we do, we shoot all the copyrighters.
It sounds to me like there is a fundamental conflict between how a hard disk is used and how to preserve a flash device -- one is best left empty and the other tends to always be full. It seems absolutely inevitable that no matter the size of the flash drive, it will be mostly or completely full and hasten its own demise in the worst way.
Apologies for the "me too" post. Just wanted to emphasize how great the 20th anniv. DVD is. The "making of" is almost 90 minutes long and one of the best I've seen (my favorite movies: http://www.just-think-it.com/), and there are about 40 minutes of other extras. Tron was a groundbreaking movie and perhaps 5 or 10 years ahead of its time, yet has many very cool scenes even when viewed by today's jaded viewers.
Can someone unerase an earlier Ubuntu log file? Does this bug in the current release inadvertently threaten the security of all versions of *ubuntu? Even if file unerase is not possible, sectors could be searched through...
I hear that. I married into 3 kids and one of the first things we did was cut out the cola and request home delivered water. Within months the oldest, probably 20+ pounds overweight, had reduced weight to normal range. Now he goes out and pogosticks 500 times in a row, just for the heck of it.
xReminder http://www.xreminder.com/ was a classic "focus stealer", and somewhat justifiably so in that it is a reminder program. Would you rather not hear the alarm, or hear it even if it interrupts you?
Still, they improved xReminder in later versions by allowing you to set whether you wanted it to steal the focus or not. Elegant. I set it to not steal the focus and if a reminder is really important I have it play a WAV file (repeatedly at my frequency if it is a NMI event). But, since Windows muting is system-wide, if/when I mute my speakers I lose audio on my events.
Score one for AVG (http://free.grisoft.com/). Much as I liked McAfee (back in Win98 days), I stopped using it due to (1) huge memory footprint, (2) onerous yearly fees.
Libraries will be dispensing Sony rootkit infected CDS forever.
Has there been ANY mention of Sony contacting all libraries to prevent this, let alone track down and assist those patrons who checked out and played rootkit CDs on their home computers? I doubt Sony will ever do anything about this.
This is the most serious corporation-assisted mass infection in history. And it continues...
And how do I submit the library CD? People who check out music CDs from libraries are completely left out in the cold by Sony. Hence my personal pledge to NEVER buy a Sony product ever again.
at some point, things that need to be secret must be kept that way to keep those of us with potentially treacherous intent from furthering their goals. Unfortunately, things done in secret are subject to improper shortcuts and other abuses of power.
When we say "secret", everyone freaks out. And of course the only way something can be truly secret is for only one person to know about it.
Hence the better term "need to know" -- things that the CIA/FBI/military/etc. doesn't want the whole world to know about are only told to a small group of people based on their reliability and need to know. But this would make for a smaller/. thread.
For my two cents, here are my favorite movies of the past year:
King Kong
Garbage, by all accounts.
Walk the Line
Possibly worth watching but for sure not in a theater.
March of the Penguins
No better than something on the Discovery or National Geographic channel.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Might be ok for kids if it wasn't so dark. I tried reading the first HP and couldn't stand the condescending tone of the author so have skipped all HP stuff but get it for my kids.
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-rabbit
A good movie. Our family of 5 watched it on DVD twice, before returning it to our library:-)
Corpse Bride
I watch no horror movies, never have, never will. They are insulting to human intelligence.
Ballet Russes
First I heard of this so no comment.
Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
A glorified home movie. Not worth a rental let alone a trip to the multiplex.
Slashdot Mirror
The WoW layer does this. When I launch LViewPro v1B (that I prefer to the current version because it is not shareware crippled), wow is loaded and stays loaded til you reboot.
As to why MS doesn't create a whole new OS (even though it did with NT), I think the answer is that the customer doesn't want this. Look at Itanium...saying it hasn't caught on is almost a spit-take understatement. Seamless (or mostly seamless) upgrading of old OSes is what people & corporate types want because it makes the decision a no-brainer and allows old and new machines to get along.
My preferred text editor is 17 years old and runs in DOS. This one application determines my platform, and that of a writer friend of mine. I set him up with it on an 8088, then a 80486 luggable. Other than running a batch file that zips up his documents then places them on a floppy that he sends to his publisher, he is running a single executable. He doesn't need or want email. When they bought a new printer the dealer put in Windows for the printer drivers but it messed up his program so he asked me to Windows out (the DOS ap. supports, among others, postscript & HP printers so there was no need for Windows drivers). We are all so bleeding edge we have lost our perspective -- a computer is only useful if it cranks out the work you need cranked out, and if it does leave the bleeping thing alone.
I'll bite...
(1) provide more cpu cycles per dollar spent translating to cheaper hardware costs or more powerful workstations for the same cost
(2) better capitalize on user familiarity/experience, translating into training money saved or higher productivity per employee. I for one would give away or sell an Apple computer if it was given to me.
(3) as the default it is generally cheaper to stay with something, anything, than to switch. For example, as component X fails (e.g. keyboard, monitor), one can swap in a component from a retired machine. Thus, for most people staying with Windows/XP is cheaper than switching to anything, but especially to new hardware. XP doesn't sell much at retail, but it doesn't have to. Once it is OEM'd on 300M machines, on the other hand, it tends to stay there.
The only thing worse than XP paging is XP paging on a system with a failing hard drive (my Dell) -- I have had to even moved temp file and IECache locations to anothe drive.
I also think they deliberately introduced two formats so that we would be watching the wrong hand of the magician -- it ain't the format silly, its the dirty work that goes with it.
It could be argued that DRM busters are some of the most patriotic /humanitarian people on the planet.
i.e. ISPs A, B, C...N all host N DNS services -- one for themselves, one each for the other N ISPs. Ok, maybe not N but say 5 ISP groupings.
This was done with the electric power system some time back where they put ground rods all over the place providing ubiquitous grounding to make the power system more uniform.
From repeat calls to Dell support. A totally wasted effort on my part I might add. They have their routine way to pretend to test/troubleshoot things that _just_happens_ to benefit Dell -- wow, what are the odds of that?!
Many others before you have "had good service" for their business PCs. And just as many have admitted that Dell's home PC support sucks.
One person privately emailed me to say he routinely has to damage Dell PCs in order to get Dell to fix them. Buyer beware!
Heh, AC, your jealousy is showing.
Your first point seems to indicate that you're using the OEM software load. Wow, sure sounds like you've been "computing" for 22 years.
Why on earth would OEM vs OTS software matter? More importantly, why would this indicate anything about anyone's experience. My Dell issue can be summed up in two words: hardware problem.
Your second point.. Jesus, chill with the fucking USB devices. You only have so much power for the bus. Get a nice powered USB hub and stop bitching.
Since my HP laptop ran with a similar number of devices there is nothing to say I am doing anything wrong here. But I appreciate your wisdom-at-a-distance.
Also, if it can't handle this many devices, why have this many (7) USB ports?
Your third point, I will say, is a legitimate complaint. You should learn how to deal with techs, though. These are all common problems with computers. Someone who claims to have been in the game as long as you should know how to handle them.
The so-called techs are impossible to deal with -- total denial city. How does one deal with someone who totally denies that there is a hardware problem? Wait, that would be you too.
Dell is on a "high end look" kick right now and by buying Alienware they can shut down a competitor and gain another look. It won't change the fact that I'll never buy or recommend a Dell because my Dell sucks http://www.just-think-it.com/mydell.htm
Ahem. All good bands (i.e. Green Day and, uh...uh...uh) ARE taking a year off. There are almost no good bands. There _are_ some wealthy bands with geriatic performers, yes, but music has become like Disney movies -- locked in "vaults" and copyrighted for the next 5,000 years. First thing we do, we shoot all the copyrighters.
Guy has this cryptic joke in his sig and I asked him what it meant. So he booted me.
It sounds to me like there is a fundamental conflict between how a hard disk is used and how to preserve a flash device -- one is best left empty and the other tends to always be full. It seems absolutely inevitable that no matter the size of the flash drive, it will be mostly or completely full and hasten its own demise in the worst way.
Apologies for the "me too" post. Just wanted to emphasize how great the 20th anniv. DVD is. The "making of" is almost 90 minutes long and one of the best I've seen (my favorite movies: http://www.just-think-it.com/), and there are about 40 minutes of other extras. Tron was a groundbreaking movie and perhaps 5 or 10 years ahead of its time, yet has many very cool scenes even when viewed by today's jaded viewers.
that wants one of these for the next neighborhood water fight? Ok, maybe I am...
Can someone unerase an earlier Ubuntu log file? Does this bug in the current release inadvertently threaten the security of all versions of *ubuntu? Even if file unerase is not possible, sectors could be searched through...
I hear that. I married into 3 kids and one of the first things we did was cut out the cola and request home delivered water. Within months the oldest, probably 20+ pounds overweight, had reduced weight to normal range. Now he goes out and pogosticks 500 times in a row, just for the heck of it.
Still, they improved xReminder in later versions by allowing you to set whether you wanted it to steal the focus or not. Elegant. I set it to not steal the focus and if a reminder is really important I have it play a WAV file (repeatedly at my frequency if it is a NMI event). But, since Windows muting is system-wide, if/when I mute my speakers I lose audio on my events.
Score one for AVG (http://free.grisoft.com/). Much as I liked McAfee (back in Win98 days), I stopped using it due to (1) huge memory footprint, (2) onerous yearly fees.
America's fate has already been determined by the creation of The Fed:
http://soren.org/gov/emry.html.
Has there been ANY mention of Sony contacting all libraries to prevent this, let alone track down and assist those patrons who checked out and played rootkit CDs on their home computers? I doubt Sony will ever do anything about this.
This is the most serious corporation-assisted mass infection in history. And it continues...
And how do I submit the library CD? People who check out music CDs from libraries are completely left out in the cold by Sony. Hence my personal pledge to NEVER buy a Sony product ever again.
Quebec is about gaining something for nothing by declaring yourself a "distinct society".
When we say "secret", everyone freaks out. And of course the only way something can be truly secret is for only one person to know about it.
Hence the better term "need to know" -- things that the CIA/FBI/military/etc. doesn't want the whole world to know about are only told to a small group of people based on their reliability and need to know. But this would make for a smaller /. thread.
Someone else started the "IF" parade, I just rode with it.
Hence my use of IF in my defense of "Epi-man" above.
I need a drink...
King Kong
Garbage, by all accounts.
Walk the Line
Possibly worth watching but for sure not in a theater.
March of the Penguins
No better than something on the Discovery or National Geographic channel.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Might be ok for kids if it wasn't so dark. I tried reading the first HP and couldn't stand the condescending tone of the author so have skipped all HP stuff but get it for my kids.
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-rabbit
A good movie. Our family of 5 watched it on DVD twice, before returning it to our library :-)
Corpse Bride
I watch no horror movies, never have, never will. They are insulting to human intelligence.
Ballet Russes
First I heard of this so no comment.
Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
A glorified home movie. Not worth a rental let alone a trip to the multiplex.